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Mariana Valente - Miss Universe Canada 2009
By: Héctor Joaquín Colón González for Critical Beauty & Héctor Joaquín Blog
Tell us something about your family, your childhood and your experience in beauty pageants.
I was born in São Paolo, Brazil and moved to Canada at the age of 12.
The childhood experience that impacted my life the most was moving to a new country and having to learn how to speak
a new language. This opportunity allowed me to be an independent and dynamic person and to be fluent in four languages
(English, French, Portuguese and Spanish). My family is very united both here in Canada and in Brazil. We learned how
to appreciate each other, and really support one another. My experience in beauty pageants started in 2005 when I
participated in a small pageant called Miss Brazil in Canada; it was then that I found out that I really enjoyed
this industry. I then won the tile of Miss Latina Canada 2007 which helped me prepare for Miss Universe Canada.
What is your motto? What does that motto mean to you?
There are a few of them I live by:
"Live life to the fullest"
"Be thankful for every moment you have the gift of living." This quote really touches my heart in thinking that every
second we have is a gift so we need to cherish it like it’s the last.
“Believe in yourself and you can achieve anything.” This quote is the opening line in my motivational speech to
students during school visits, and it is a quote that I truly believe in.
Some people say that pageants are degrading to women. What do you say to them?
I don't think that pageants are degrading to women because we are able to show how
intelligent, and how not only our physical beauty is important but also how much we are beautiful inside.
It is an opportunity for women to represent their countries, as role models and to inspire people by our actions
and accomplishments. Pageants provide a platform to have a public voice and to bring out issues that are important to us.
If you could change one thing about you, what would it be?
I wouldn't change anything about me. I have flaws like everyone else
in the world, but those flaws make me unique. I wouldn't change them.
If you had the opportunity to meet a famous politician, what would you ask and why?
I would be honored to meet Barack Obama. I would ask him how does he manage to wear
all his hats as a politician, husband, father, and still seem to live in perfect harmony with all these roles.
What is in your bag right now?
Right now in my bag you would find aside from my supply of everyday needs, a special
pendant that was given to me by my mother, and which I carry everywhere with me.
What was your biggest reason to compete in Miss Universe Canada?
My biggest reason to participate in Miss Universe Canada was the
thought that I would meet influential people that would help me open doors to increase the help my family and
I give to the children of Brazil. We have an organization called BASE (Brazilian Association for Social and
Educational Support) and this organization was and is my motivation.
How are you preparing for the Miss Universe pageant?
When I'm not travelling to meet with fashion designers, and the media overseas my
preparation involves working out with a personal trainers, having make up techniques and hair styling classes, as well
as runway training. A normal day also involves doing interviews with newspapers, blogs, and television shows. My days
are hectic but I love being busy so it’s not a big issue for me.
As Miss Universe Canada, which charities do you support?
Before becoming Miss Universe Canada, I’ve been supporting my own charity BASE, and
as part of the Miss Universe Canada organization, we have developed strong relationships and assisted some of Canada’s
biggest non-profit organizations including The Brazilian Ball, Variety Village, CANFAR, SOS Children’s Villages,
Save The Children, Breast Cancer Foundation, Sick Kids Hospital, Universal Youth Foundation, Princess Margaret Hospital,
Lymphoma Foundation, ANF and The Santa Claus Parade amongst others.
What do you think are the most important qualities to win the Miss Universe crown?
The most important qualities are of a person that is humble, but sure of herself.
A person who has goals not only on her head but works towards achieving them, at the same time she has to proudly represent
her country. Another important quality is that she must be real, approachable, independent but a team-player as well,
someone Society can relate to. Someone that goes to the competition to take in every single moment and not only concentrate
on winning the crown, because enjoying the journey will last a lifetime.
If you had the chance to promote Canada abroad, what traits about your country would you emphasize and why?
I would emphasize on Canada’s multiculturalism. Canada has the highest per capita immigration rate in the world, driven
by economic policy and family reunification. Even though we have only a little over 33 million people living in the 2nd
largest country in the world (largest country in the Western Hemisphere), we managed to live in a country where we have
two official languages, and in the major urban areas of Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal, we have people from over 160
countries speaking over 100 languages and dialects, practicing over 100 religions, and regardless of how different and
diverse we are, we manage to live in harmony in one of the best countries and most progressive countries in the world.
We don’t only accept diversity, we embrace it and celebrate it!
How do you define the role of women in your country at this moment?
The role of women in my country has been and still is an important one. In today's
society women have accumulated more responsibilities than before which is to be caring, loving, and at the same time powerful
role models either at home or at their professional lives. I think that women as well as men have the role of
being good role models, to our future generation.
What kind of profession would you like to pursue?
I speak four languages fluently English, French, Portuguese and Spanish) and
I'm studying to be a teacher. I'm majoring in French studies so I would like to teach kindergarten at a French School
here in Canada.
Do you think you deserve to be crowned Miss Universe on August 23rd in The Bahamas?
I believe I do deserve to be crowed Miss Universe. I deserve it because
I will be going to Miss Universe with two purposes - one to be myself, and the other to show how much this title
can impact the lives of others around the world.
How has your family influenced your life?
My family is the reason why I am the way I am today. They have taught me how
to respect people, how to appreciate every moment I have the gift of living, and how to be a true supporter no
matter the path life takes you. I owe who I am today, to them.
If you had the opportunity to fulfill a dream for your country at this moment, what would it be and why?
If I could fulfill a personal dream and dedicate to my country Canada, it would be
to show how much I, as Miss Universe Canada, can impact the lives of others, and by showing that to be a
true and positive representative at the Miss Universe competition and throughout the rest of my year as a representative.
Mariana's Favorites
Name - Isabela
Day - Christmas
Month - December
Singer - Celine Dion
Song - It's All Coming Back To Me Now
Actress - Julia Roberts
Actor - Robin Williams
Movie - Patch Addams
Food - Soup (any kind of soup!)
Book - The Five People You Meet in Heaven
Author - Paulo Coelho
Sports - Volleyball
Beauty Secret - drinking lots of water
Miss Universe - Natalie Glebova
PHOTOS COURTESY OF MISS UNIVERSE CANADA
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2009 CRITICAL BEAUTY. All rights reserved.
